MLB TRADE: Pittsburgh Pirates Acquire 3-Year Player From Orioles
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MLB TRADE: Pittsburgh Pirates Acquire 3-Year Player From Orioles
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - APRIL 15: Blaze Alexander #23 and Johnathan Rodríguez #62 of the Baltimore Orioles collide as they make an out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 15, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) Getty
TJ French
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3 min read
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CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 20: Johnathan Rodríguez #30 of the Cleveland Guardians runs out a double during the fourth inning against the Athletics at Progressive Field on July 20, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) Getty
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 28: Johnathan Rodríguez #30 of the Cleveland Guardians hits a two-run single during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Progressive Field on September 28, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) Getty
For a second straight day, the Pittsburgh Pirates are involved in trade news across Major League Baseball.
On Sunday evening, the Pirates traded away pitcher Jose Urquidy, and on Monday, they completed a trade with the Baltimore Orioles for a 3-year MLB player.
GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – JULY 20:Johnathan Rodríguez#30 of theCleveland Guardiansruns out a double during the fourth inning against the Athletics at Progressive Field on July 20, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
According to reports from both clubs, the Baltimore Orioles have agreed to trade Johnathan Rodríguez to the Pirates in exchange for cash considerations.
"The Pirates have acquired outfielderJohnathan Rodríguezfrom the Orioles, according to announcements from both clubs. Baltimore, who designated him for assignment a few days ago, receives cash considerations in return. The Bucs also reinstated catcherEndy Rodríguezfrom the 10-day injured list."
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In another corresponding move, catcher Shawn Ross has been DFA'd by the Pirates. Johnathan Rodriguez has since been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis, so he will begin his Pirates stint in the minor leagues.
George Bissell of NBCSports.com wrote (on July 27):"Rodríguez heads to Triple-A Indianapolis as organizational depth for Pittsburgh after being designated for assignment last week. The unheralded 26-year-old hit .182 (2-for-11) during a seven-game stint with the Orioles."
GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 28: Johnathan Rodríguez #30 of the Cleveland Guardians hits a two-run single during the first inning against theTexas Rangersat Progressive Field on September 28, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
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Johnathan Rodríguez has played in parts of three MLB seasons with the Cleveland Guardians and Baltimore Orioles.
The first two seasons of his career came with the Guardians.
Across 113 at-bats in his MLB career, Rodríguez hasn't been particularly great at the plate with a .177 average and an OPS+ of 66.
With the Baltimore Orioles, he received 11 at-bats and logged just two hits (1 double). His 42 strikeouts in 132 plate appearances also isn't a great mark, and Johnathan Rodríguez's bWAR is -1.2, which isn't a great 162-game pace. He's only played in 51 total games in his career.
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He will likely stay in the Pirates' minor league system unless there's a desperation for a fill-in outfielder.
